Final Moments at Scampton by Richard Taylor

Richard’s detailed work The Dambusters – Final Moments at Scampton commemorates the anniversary of Operation Chastise through the release of this specially commissioned signed limited edition which is sure to be of interest to those Dambuster collectors the world over.

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On the night of 16/17 May 1943, nineteen Lancasters crewed by 133 men of the newly- formed 617 Squadron took off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire to begin Operation Chastise – a daring low- level night attack on the mighty dams of the Ruhr; the Möhne, Sorpe, Ennepe and Eder Dams. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, already a veteran of over 170 missions, the elite squadron of Dambusters was under no illusions about the dangers ahead; night- fighters, heavy flak en-route and defensive ground at the target area were only some of the dangers they faced because to drop their lethal cargo they would need to fly, in complete darkness, at precisely 60 feet above the water to release the unique 10,000lb hydrostatic bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis.

Displaying outstanding skill and unparalleled acts of bravery, the crews successfully breached both the Möhne and Eder Dams but of the 19 Lancasters that departed Scampton that night, eight would never return; of the 56 aircrew aboard only two survived. No fewer than 33 decorations were awarded, and Guy Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross. Today the legend of the Dambusters lives on, and the men who flew that daring raid became legends in the history of aerial warfare.

Matted Signatures (Collector's Edition):

Corporal KEN LUCAS RAF - Ground Crew with 617 Sqn, he was involved in fitting special modifications to the Lancasters for the raid.

Sergeant FRED ‘DOC’ SUTHERLAND RCAF - Front Gunner on Lancaster AJ-N which attacked, and successfully breached, the Eder Dam.